25-year-old Kaleef Hassan Carpenter of Jennifer Lane in Claremont has been arrested by Hickory Police and charged with possession of firearm by a felon in connection with a shooting in S.W. Hickory yesterday afternoon (April 18). Police are also searching for 20-year-old Jonathon Jahiem White in connection with the same incident. He is wanted for discharging a firearm in the city limits.

At about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, a call came in from a female who said she heard gunshots near Camden Meadow Apartments on 1st Street S.W. While Officers were en-route, a 9-1-1 call came in from a second caller who stated that a male had been shot. Upon arrival, Officers found a 17-year-old male in an apartment, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Catawba County E.M.S. responded and treated the 17-year-old, who was then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

During the investigation, Officers learned that two groups of males, including the injured 17-year-old, had been shooting at each other. Another 17-year-old male has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and breaking & entering. That suspect is currently on probation on a weapons charge in connection with a shooting in Mecklenburg County. A third 17-year-old male has been charged with breaking & entering. Their identities and the identity of the injured person have not been released. The two unnamed 17-year-old suspects have been arrested.

Kaleef Hassan Carpenter is currently on probation for two previous convictions in 2022 on counts of possession of firearm by a felon. Carpenter was placed in the Catawba County Detention Facility where he is being held without bond. A District Court appearance was scheduled for May 10 in Newton.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call Hickory Police at 828-328-5551 or contact Investigator Cadyn Laffon directly at 828-261-2636 or claffon@hickorync.gov.